Experience Nature's Beauty at Virginia's Great Falls Park

Next time you visit Washington, DC, and want a break from the city, consider a ride to Great Falls Park. This national park unit, known for its dramatic views of the Potomac River tumbling over and through the rocks, is tucked away in a Northern Virginia suburb less than 15 miles from the National Mall. The views are ever-changing based on water levels—just after a heavy rain, you might find a muddy, raging river, other times, when the water level is low, the jagged rocks are more prominent. It’s not a big park to explore, and there are hiking options that allow you to spend more time in nature. The park also has a visitor center, but as of this writing, it is closed for construction.  

So what is there to do at Great Falls Park? Here’s a few activities available to visitors. 

Enjoy the View From One of Three Scenic Overlooks. This is the easiest way to experience the beauty of the falls. You will want to stop at all 3 overlooks for different perspectives. Overlook 1 gives you the closest view of the falls but requires climbing on a few rocks.  Overlook 2 is accessible, with a ramp to the larger viewing area. It’s a nice spot to hang out and enjoy the dramatic view. The third overlook also has an accessible trail and provides the most expansive view. On the way to Overlook 3, stop and see the High Water Marks pole that shows the various heights of the river over the years. It will give you a respect for nature to think about the river reaching those heights. The Virginia side of the park is very dog-friendly, and you will often find dogs enjoying the views from the overlooks! Check out a recent video on the familyTravelsUSA Instagram page. 

Visitors should know it is illegal to swim or wade in the Potomac River Gorge (drownings have occurred over the years due to strong currents). From time to time, you might get to watch experienced kayakers running the rapids, which is pretty exciting to watch. It’s a good idea to read more about safety in the park before you visit. 

As of January 1, 2025, the park will begin using a cashless entrance fee system. 

Take a Hike. Walk Along the River Trail to See Mather Gorge. This is considered a more challenging (rated moderate to hard) hike, with some spots where you are climbing rocks. We have hiked this trail several times, and my favorite part is seeing the view from above when looking down at the water flowing through Mather Gorge. Keep in mind that the trails are often muddy, especially if it has recently rained. 

In the opposite direction, the North River Trail is a flatter option that is popular for both people and pets. There is one rocky spot to cross at the Aqueduct Dam. If you stay on the trail for 1.5 miles one-way, you will reach Riverbend Park. Some folks even choose to park at Riverbend, and hike into Great Falls Park, then return to Riverbend (the Virginia bluebells at this park in spring are a sight to see!). Often visitors start from the falls area and take this trail as far as the Aqueduct, then turn around and head back towards the falls.  

Enjoy a few favorite photos and seasons of Great Falls Park, then keep reading to learn more! 

You can also take a short stroll on the Old Carriage Road trail. It’s a wooded trail that is multi-use, so you might encounter bikes or horses. The Patowmack Canal Trail is another popular trail. 

Get more details on these hikes from the park website and trail map or by downloading the National Park app. Make sure you save the park for offline use on the app before you go. Once you enter the parking lot at Great Falls Park, cell service is very spotty/non-existent. We love this free app for that very reason and always download park maps before we enter a park while we have wi-fi. ​

Join a Ranger or Volunteer-Led Program. Like other national parks, there are opportunities to join a guided ranger program at Great Falls Park. At the time this blog was written, the park offers guided walks and talks on weekends. Volunteers also currently lead a bird walk on Sunday mornings. Check here for the latest details for each program. Kids can also download the free Junior Ranger activity book and work towards earning a Junior Ranger badge. If you have never done this, it’s a fun way to get kids involved and also learn about habitats, history, and science.

When the visitor center reopens, plan to spend a few minutes learning more about the early days of the Patowmack Canal and Great Falls. 

Enjoy a Picnic. Great Falls Park is a popular spot for a picnic, and the picnic tables and grills are often full on weekends (first-come, first-served). You can also purchase food from the snack bar (limited menu and hours). 

Other things to know before you go. 
Expect to pay a national park entrance fee upon arrival, A private vehicle pass is currently $20, and is valid for 7 days. As mentioned above, cash will no longer be accepted. You can also use your America the Beautiful Pass if you have one (highly recommend it if you are visiting several parks in a year). It’s also important to know that this park is quite popular with locals, and often during the warmer weather, the entrance closes when the parking lot is full. Visiting early in the day is your best bet. 

If you don’t have a car, take the Metro to the Spring Hill station on the Silver Line. Then use a ride-share service for about 15 minutes. Be sure to arrange for your return transportation ahead of time, as there is NO cell phone service in the park. The only issue is that there might be a line to get into the park depending on when you go. 

Visitors should also know that, while this post is focused on exploring the park on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, it is also possible to see the falls from the Maryland side. To do so, head to the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, part of the C&O Canal National Historical Park (we include the C&O Canal towpath in our list of scenic bike rides in the Mid-Atlantic region.)  This brochure includes trail options on the Maryland side, including the .7 mile Overlook Trail. Dogs are not allowed on the trail to the falls on the Maryland side; however, the Virginia side of Great Falls Park is very dog-friendly. Our dogs love the trails and have enjoyed visiting on numerous occasions. 

And if you are visiting the DC area during the summer, consider getting tickets to watch a show from the lawn at nearby Wolftrap National Park for the Performing Arts. Pack a picnic and bottle of wine, and enjoy the show while sprawled out on a blanket. During the summer, you can take the Wolf Trap Shuttle from the McLean Metro station on the Silver Line.